Often in modern wellness, we talk about the body in pieces. We treat the skin as one thing, the brain as another, and the stomach as a totally separate department. But if my work as an herbalist and my own health journey this year have taught me anything, it is that this separation is an illusion.

Everything is connected.

A Personal Lesson in Connectedness

I have always known the theory of holistic health, but this year I lived it. About nine months ago, I had my gallbladder removed due to disease. Since then, I have been navigating the complex waters of SIBO, specifically Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth.

What has been most fascinating, and frankly difficult, is observing how a disruption in my gut ripples outward to every other part of me. It is not just about digestion. When my gut is struggling, I see it on my face with rosacea flares and rashes. I feel it in my mind with heavy brain fog. I feel it in my energy levels with deep fatigue.

My body has been showing me, in real time, that you cannot heal the skin or the mind without first tending to the root. The gut is the soil from which our health grows.

The Science: Your Second Brain

This connection isn’t just a metaphor. It is a biological fact.

We often think of the nervous system as living entirely in the brain and spine, but the digestive tract is actually lined with over 100 million neurons. Scientists call this the Enteric Nervous System, or the "second brain." This system operates independently to manage digestion, but it is constantly communicating with the brain in your head via the vagus nerve.

This highway of communication explains why we feel "butterflies" when we are nervous or why stress can instantly wreck our digestion. It also explains the chemical connection. A massive percentage of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood and sleep, is actually produced in the gut, not the brain.

When our microbiome is out of balance, that communication line gets static. We experience inflammation. In my case, that inflammation traveled from my gut to my skin and my energy reserves. The body is simply one large, continuous conversation.

Returning to the Roots: Herbal Allies for the Season

Knowing this, my approach to healing right now is about supporting that root system. I am leaning heavily on the plants in my apothecary to help my body find its rhythm again, and during this holiday season of rich foods and stress, these allies are essential for all of us.

Here are the two staples I am using daily to support my healing journey.

1. Stoking the Digestive Fire with Bitters

In our modern diet, we have largely bred the bitter flavor out of our foods in favor of sweet and salty. This is a loss for our health. Bitter is a functional flavor. As soon as a bitter taste hits your tongue, it signals the vagus nerve to tell the digestive system to wake up. It prompts the release of saliva, gastric juices, enzymes, and bile.

Because I am focusing on supporting bile flow and enzymatic activity, I am relying on our Cardamom & Fennel Digestive Bitters.

This formula is a modern take on an old apothecary ritual. We use bitter roots like Dandelion, Burdock, and Gentian to stimulate that digestive "fire" before we even take our first bite. To balance the bitterness, we include fennel and cardamom. These are aromatic carminatives, which help to relax the smooth muscles of the gut and prevent the gas and bloating that often follows a holiday meal.

I take about a quarter teaspoon right on my tongue before eating. It is a small ritual that prepares my body to receive nourishment properly.

2. Soothing the System with Golden Tea

While bitters wake things up, we also need to soothe the inflammation that can happen when things are out of balance. This is where I turn to our Turmeric & Ginger Golden Tea.

This blend is inspired by traditional Ayurvedic recipes. It is deeply warming and lightly spiced, with a comforting flavor similar to chai. The star ingredients here are Turmeric and Ginger, both of which are renowned for their ability to support a healthy inflammatory response in the body. When I am dealing with the systemic effects of gut issues, like body aches or skin flares, this tea feels like a warm hug for my insides.

We added Lemongrass to this blend for a bright, uplifting note, along with Black Pepper. The pepper is crucial because it increases the bioavailability of the turmeric, ensuring your body can actually absorb the medicinal properties.

I love to simmer this on the stove for twenty minutes with coconut milk. The healthy fats in the milk further help with absorption, making it a potent, golden elixir perfect for cold December nights.

Listening to Your Body

If you are feeling off this season, whether it is sluggish digestion, skin that won't clear up, or a foggy mind, try listening to your gut. It might be asking for a little extra support.

Healing is rarely a straight line. I am still walking my path, navigating the ups and downs of SIBO and learning new things about my body every day. But having these plant allies makes the journey a little softer and a lot more flavorful.

I hope you find some time this season to slow down, brew some tea, and give your body a little extra care.

Everything is Connected: Why I’m Listening to My Gut This Winter